GoAir confirms plans to suspend services to the Maldives from Jun-2019

GoAir is learnt to be suspending flights to the Maldives with effect from July 1. The airline currently offers two weekly non-stop flights between Bengaluru and Male, three direct flights between Delhi and Male and four direct flights between Mumbai and Male.

The airline is gradually reducing the service between Mumbai and Male. There will be only two flights a week from May 9.

“Across the world, airlines operate leisure destinations on the basis of seasonality and load factors. There is a rainy season ahead in the Maldives and we have decided to curtail flight operations to Velana International Airport, Male, from July to October 2019. After that, the management team will take a call and resume flights,” a GoAir spokesperson said in a statement.

IndiGo and Air India will be the only carriers providing direct service between Bengaluru and Male post-July, while there are no direct flight operators between Delhi and Male from July 1 onwards. For Mumbai-Male direct service, IndiGo remains the only airline as of now after June 30.

The Wadia group-run airline, which commenced operations in 2005, became eligible to fly overseas in July 2016 when it took delivery of its 20th aircraft, an Airbus A320NEO.

The airline launched its international operations in October 2018 with a flight to Phuket. A few days after launching operations to Phuket, the airline announced direct flight to Male out of Mumbai.

“We welcome Male as a part of our new global network. In light of the significant increase in outgoing tourism from India over the past few years, GoAir introduced a direct flight service from Mumbai and New Delhi to Male. It is a huge amendment in the books of GoAir and we hope to provide our customers with a superior experience at the best yet affordable prices,” Cornelis Vrieswijk, the then Chief Executive Officer had said.